Arranged marriage
An arranged marriage is a marriage where the spouses are selected by a third party. It differs from a love marriage, in which the spouses know each other and themselves initiate the marriage. An arranged marriage, by contrast, is organized by the third party with the couple having little to no say. The third party is most commonly the spouses' parents, possibly with the aid of a marriage broker.
Normally, the couple must agree to the arranged marriage. However, in a forced marriage, one or both of the partners does not consent; and in a child marriage, one or both partners cannot consent because they are under 18 years old. Marriages without consent are condemned by the United Nations.
Arranging marriages has historically been common in many cultures and religious traditions. It remains widespread in certain regions, particularly South Asia, West Asia and North Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. In other parts of the world, such as Europe and East Asia, the practice has declined substantially since the 19th century.
History
Arranged marriages were the norm throughout the world until the 18th century. Typically, marriages were arranged by parents, grandparents or other close relatives and trusted friends. Some historical exceptions are known, such as courtship and betrothal rites during the Renaissance period of Italy and Gandharva Vivah in the Vedic period in the Indian subcontinent..Arranged marriages have declined in countries where forced marriages were politically outlawed or in prosperous countries with more social mobility and increasing individualism; nevertheless, arranged marriages might still be seen in countries of Europe and North America, among royal families, aristocrats and minority religious groups, such as in placement marriage among fundamentalist Mormon groups of the United States. In most other parts of the world, arranged marriages continue to varying degrees and increasingly in quasi-arranged form, along with autonomous marriages.
Europe
In France arranged marriages were normal until the Second World War.Courtship and betrothal rites were known during the Renaissance period of Italy
Arranged marriages were the norm in Russia before the early 20th century, most of which were endogamous.
America
Until the first half of the 20th century, arranged marriages were common in migrant families in the United States. They were sometimes called "picture-bride marriages" among Japanese-American immigrants because the bride and groom knew each other only through the exchange of photographs before the day of their marriage. These marriages among immigrants were typically arranged by parents or close relatives from the country of their origin. As immigrants settled in and melded into a new culture, arranged marriages shifted first to quasi-arranged marriages where parents or friends made introductions and the couple met before the marriage; over time, the marriages among the descendants of these immigrants shifted to autonomous marriages driven by individual's choice, dating and courtship preferences, and an increase in marrying outside of their own ethnic group. Similar historical dynamics are claimed in other parts of the world.Asia
In China, arranged marriages —sometimes called blind marriages —were the norm before the mid-20th century. A marriage was a negotiation and decision between parents and other older members of two families. The bride and groom were typically told to get married, without a right to demur, even if they had never met each other until the wedding day.Comparison
Marriages have been categorized into four groups in scholarly studies:- Forced arranged marriage: parents or guardians select, the individuals are neither consulted nor have any say before the marriage
- Consensual arranged marriage: parents or guardians select, then the individuals are consulted, who consider and consent, and each individual has the power to refuse; sometimes, the individuals meet—in a family setting or privately—before engagement and marriage as in shidduch custom among Orthodox Jews
- Self-selected marriage: individuals select, then parents or guardians are consulted, who consider and consent, and where parents or guardians have the power of veto.
- Autonomous marriage: individuals select, the parents or guardians are neither consulted nor have any say before the marriage
Extreme examples of forced arranged marriage have been observed in some societies, particularly in child marriages of girls below age 12. Illustrations include vani which is currently seen in some tribal/rural parts of Pakistan, and Shim-pua marriage in Taiwan before the 1970s.
Types
There are many kinds of arranged marriages. Some of these are:- Arranged exogamous marriage: is one where a third party finds and selects the bride and groom irrespective of their social, economic and cultural group.
- Arranged endogamous marriage: is one where a third party finds and selects the bride and groom from a particular social, economic and cultural group.
- Consanguineous marriage: is a type of arranged endogamous marriage. It is one where the bride and groom share a grandparent or near ancestor. Examples of these include first cousin marriages, uncle-niece marriages, second cousin marriages, and so on. The most common consanguineous marriages are first cousin marriages, followed by second cousin and uncle-niece marriages. Between 25 and 40% of all marriages in parts of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are first cousin marriages; while overall consanguineous arranged marriages exceed 65% to 80% in various regions of North Africa and Central Asia.
According to The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 of the Republic of India, non-consensual marriages and marriages where either the bridegroom is below the age of 21 years or the bride is below the age of 18 are prohibited for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains.
Non-consanguineous arranged marriage is one where the bride and groom do not share a grandparent or near ancestor; this type of arranged marriage is common in Hindu and Buddhist South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Christian Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa.
Forced vs. arranged marriages
Forced and arranged marriages are distinct practices found in various cultures, each defined by different principles and legal implications.A forced marriage involves coercion, where one or both parties are compelled to marry against their will. This is often achieved through emotional manipulation, threats, or physical violence. Because this practice disregards individual autonomy and genuine consent, it is considered a violation of human rights and frequently leads to profound emotional distress.
In contrast, an arranged marriage involves familial or community intervention to suggest a spouse based on cultural, religious, or social factors. Crucially, in an arranged marriage, the consent of both individuals remains the primary requirement. While the process operates within a framework of societal expectations, the prospective spouses retain their agency and have the final say in the union.
The fundamental difference between these two practices is the presence or absence of free and full consent. Jennifer Burns, Director of Anti-Slavery Australia, clarifies this distinction:
"Arranged marriages are widely practised in Australia... but ultimately, the couple decides whether they want to marry. A forced marriage is the opposite. There is no complete and free consent."